Happy birthday, Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond was born on 24 January 1941. He wrote the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer”, Lulu’s “The Boat that I Row” and Deep Purple’s “Kentucky Woman”. Respect. He did all right as a solo artist too. Legend has it that (insert incredible percentage of your choice, starting at 80) of New Zealand homes had a copy of his 1972 live album Hot August Night. Here he is performing “I Am, I Said” in 1971.

Sample lyric:

“I am,” I said

 To no one there

 And no one heard at all

 Not even the chair

And here he is performing “Holly Holy”, maybe the best Jewish gospel song ever before Leonard Cohen got the idea:

Monitor: Home Paddock